A Lake Charles man has been arrested for allegedly passing counterfeit money in the Calcasieu area.

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Kayla Vincent said detectives with their Office of Financial Crimes Unit — who are also assigned to the U.S. Secret Service Task Force — were notified on April 15 that Jason S. Thibodeaux Jr., 28, was possibly passing around fake money.

Vincent said on April 17,  CPSO detectives — with the assistance of the U.S.S.S. Special Agent in Baton Rouge — were able to locate Thibodeaux at a restaurant in Lake Charles. Thibodeaux, who had an active warrant for contempt of court, was taken into custody.

“During further investigation, detectives located over $600 in counterfeit money on his person,” Vincent said. “A subsequent search of the vehicle used by Thibodeaux revealed additional counterfeit money as well as suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia.”

When detectives spoke with Thibodeaux, he confirmed he used counterfeit money on multiple occasions. He further stated he was doing it with the intent to obtain real money as change.

He was arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with monetary instrument abuse; possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Judge Michael Canaday set his bond at $82,000.

“Passing counterfeit money is a crime that affects businesses and individuals throughout our community,” Sheriff Stitch Guillory said.  “It only takes a few seconds to check your cash, and doing so can protect you from becoming a victim.”

Guillory said to spot a fake bill:

• Feel the paper – real bills have a unique, textured feel.
• Look for a watermark – hold it up to the light to find a faint portrait image.
• Check the color shifting ink – the number on the lower right should change color when tilted.